Climate change and modern urban development increasingly threatens the long-term conservation of the historic built environment. Growing concern over these impending threats and a recognition that damage and loss will be inevitable in some situations is forcing a reconsideration of how best to manage at-risk sites. Although generally regrettable, the transformation of historical buildings from functioning assets to derelict ruins has the potential to generate unintentional benefits for local communities and ecosystems. This includes opportunities for tourism and leisure activities, and educational benefits connected to the exposure of previously hidden archaeological information. Ruined sites may also represent important, unidentified hotspots for biodiversity as processes of weathering and decay create novel habitat space and other unintentional ecosystem benefits. With a particular focus on maritime built heritage, this talk will explore the benefits and values that may emerge from heritage sites as they progress through various stages of management and decay. Adaptation strategies developed to proactively manage transformative change will be reviewed, in addition to nature-based solutions that promote the joint conservation of wildlife and cultural heritage.
Speaker Bio: Timothy Baxter is a physical geographer with expertise in the two-way interactions between wildlife and the physical environment in the coastal zone. He holds a BA in Geography from the University of Oxford, an MSc in Geophysical Hazards and an MRes in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology from University College London (UCL), and a DPhil (PhD) in Geography from the University of Oxford.
Further Reading:
Baxter, T.I., Coombes, M.A., Viles, H.A., 2023. Intertidal biodiversity and physical habitat complexity on historic masonry walls: A comparison with modern concrete infrastructure and natural rocky cliffs. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 188. 114617. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114617).
Baxter, T.I., Coombes, M.A., Viles, H.A., 2022. No evidence that seaweed cover enhances the deterioration of natural cement‐based mortar in intertidal environments. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 1–12. (https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5467).
Pitt Rivers Museum Research Seminar in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology, Trinity Term 2026
Fridays, 12pm-1.30pm (Weeks 1-4)
In person at the Pitt Rivers Museum Lecture Theatre (entry via Robinson Close) except for Week 3, which will be in the Oxford University Natural History Museum Theatre.
Convened by Dr Ashley Coutu & Dr Brinn Hodgett.
